Arteify Editorial · Fee Transparency
The Hidden Cost of Selling Art —
and Why Arteify Charges Less
Most people who sell a piece of art or an antique have no idea how much they are actually giving away. The fee structures at traditional auction houses are deliberately complex — and the complexity almost always benefits the house.
How Traditional Auction Fees Work
A typical British regional auction house charges the seller a commission of between 12% and 20% of the hammer price. On top of that, the buyer pays a “buyer’s premium” — an additional charge of 20–25%. By the time the transaction is complete, the house has taken a combined 35–40% of the hammer price from both parties combined.
| Platform | Seller Fee | Buyer Premium | Combined Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arteify | 8% | 10% | 18% ✓ Lowest |
| The Saleroom | 10–15% | ~10% | ~20–25% |
| Catawiki | 12.5% | ~9% | ~22% |
| Regional Auction House | 15–20% | 20–25% | 35–45% |
| Christie’s / Sotheby’s | 10–15% | 25–30% | 35–45% |
“On a £5,000 hammer price at a traditional house, the seller might receive £4,100 while the buyer pays £6,250. Arteify: seller receives £4,600, buyer pays £5,500.”
Why We Priced It Differently
When we set Arteify’s fees, we asked a simple question: what is the minimum we need to operate a well-built, well-curated marketplace — and still leave meaningful value with the people actually making and buying the work?
The answer was 8% from sellers and 10% from buyers. A combined 18% that funds our platform, our curation team, our authentication support, and our customer service. Everything clearly disclosed. No surprises at checkout.
Transparency as a Principle
Every listing on Arteify shows the buyer’s premium before any bid or purchase is made. The seller receives a clear breakdown of their payout before they list. There are no hidden insurance fees, no photography surcharges, no “lotting fees” buried in the small print.
The art market has operated on opacity for too long. We think transparency is not just ethically right — it is commercially smarter. Buyers who trust a platform come back. Sellers who feel fairly treated recommend it. That is the business we are building.
Published by the Arteify Editorial Team · March 2026